TV and radio presenter Zoe Ball has told her father, Johnny Ball, that she is in “such a good place” after stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.
The 54-year-old broadcaster left the programme at the end of last year, bringing an end to her five-year tenure as the station’s morning host. Despite initially making history as the first female host of the slot, Zoe admitted that the gruelling early starts had taken their toll.
Johnny Ball on Zoe’s career and wellbeing
Speaking to Saga Magazine, Johnny Ball, a veteran TV presenter known for Play School and Think of a Number, revealed that Zoe is feeling happier and healthier since making the career move.
“Zoe’s taken to broadcasting as well as I did – in fact, she’s done better than me. She’s earned considerably more money from it.”
Johnny also touched on the difficulties Zoe faced over the past year, including the death of her mother, Julia Peckham, and various other personal challenges. However, he shared that she is now relieved to have left the demanding breakfast slot.
“Her days used to start at 4am and by the time it got to midday she was knackered. She visited me recently and said: ‘I’m in such a good place.’”
Zoe Ball’s return to radio 2
Although she stepped down from the breakfast show, Zoe is not leaving BBC Radio 2 altogether. She is set to return to the station in May to host a weekly show on Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm.
Her decision to leave the breakfast slot followed months of speculation about her health and well-being. In November 2023, she revealed she had been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, often leading to chronic headaches and facial pain.
At the time, Zoe said:
“I wake up most days with awful headaches. It’s something I’ve been managing, but the early starts haven’t helped.”
A difficult year for Zoe Ball
2023 was a particularly challenging year for Zoe, who in March announced the death of her mother, Julia Peckham. She described her family as being “bereft” and has since spoken openly about her grief and loss.
Despite these personal challenges, Zoe remained one of the BBC’s most successful broadcasters. She was the highest-paid female presenter in the 2023/24 financial year, earning between £950,000 and £954,999, according to the BBC’s annual report published in July 2023.
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This placed her second on the BBC’s highest earners list, behind Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker.
Johnny Ball’s own TV legacy
Zoe’s father, Johnny Ball, is a familiar face to British television audiences, having been a key figure in children’s educational programming. He has appeared in shows such as The Baby Boomers’ Guide to Growing Old on More4 and The Terry and Gaby Show on Channel 5.
In 2012, he became the first contestant eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing, years after Zoe reached the final of the competition in 2005.
What’s next for Zoe Ball?
With her new Saturday show set to launch in May, Zoe is embracing a fresh chapter in her broadcasting career. Her decision to step back from early mornings reflects a growing trend of high-profile media figures prioritising health and well-being over the demands of high-pressure roles.
For now, Zoe seems content with her decision, with her father proudly affirming that she is happier than ever.
